Military Education Benefits
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College is committed to supporting our military personnel. Just this July, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College received a grant designed to increase academic persistence and success among student service members and veterans. Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College was one of twenty-one institutions of higher education in Indiana which received grants for the development of support programs and services for student service members and veterans. The grants were awarded through Operation Diploma, an initiative of the Military Family Research Institution through a $5.8 million gift from the Lilly Foundation. In addition, SMWC approved several scholarship programs starting August 1, 2009, that benefit military personnel as well as their spouse.
Yellow Ribbon Program
If you qualify for the VA Yellow-Ribbon Program, you may be able to attend SMWC free! The College participates in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Yellow Ribbon Program for the undergraduate and graduate levels. SMWC’s participation in this program is made possible by the passage of the post 9/11 GI Bill. Under this provision, eligible veterans will receive the cost of tuition and fees
The Post- 9/11 GI Bill will pay the Veteran the higher of the actual tuition & fees or $17,500 per academic year for a private school. SMWC will scholarship up to 50% of the remaining cost of tuition and fees, the VA will then match the scholarship amount – completely covering the cost of tuition and fees for the Veteran.
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SMWC Military Grant –
The College’s Military Grant is a $3,000 per academic year Grant awarded to Campus students who have served on active duty or are currently serving in the reserves that do not qualify for the Post 911/GI Bill Yellow Ribbon. The $3,000 grant is applied yearly toward the cost of tuition for all qualifying Campus students who are enrolled as full time. This Grant is renewable for 4 years while the student maintains full-time status with satisfactory academic progress and enrolls in at least 2 semesters each academic year. This grant can be combined with merit awards based on financial need and academic standing. Please provide the Financial Aid office with the following documents so we can process your grant:
- DD214 or proof of active service
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Spouse Benefits
SMWC has also extended its support to the spouses of military personnel and veterans. The College’s Military/Veteran Spouse Grant, which is a $3,000 Grant awarded to the spouse of military service members who have served on active duty or are currently serving in the reserves. The $3,000 grant is applied yearly toward the cost of tuition for all qualifying students who enroll for a minimum of 6 credit hours per semester. The grant is renewable for 6 years for part-time students and 3 years for full-time students while the studnet maintains satisfactory academic progress and enrolls in at least 2 semesters each academic year.
Full-time (12+ credit hours per semester) = $3,000 per year ($1500 per semester)
Less than full-time (6 -11 credit hours per semester) = $1500 per year ($750 per semester)
Less than half-time (5 – 1 credit hours per semester) = not eligible
Please provide the Financial Aid office with the following documents so we can process your grant:
* DD 214 or proof of service
* Marriage certificate
VA BENEFITS INFORMATION
SMWC is committed to providing a streamline process to certify eligible students for their VA benefits. Listed below are the document required for us to process your certification.
* DD214
* VA Educational Benefits Worksheet (see Forms & Resources, Miscellaneous)
* Certificate of Eligibility or NOBE
* VA Certification Form (this is required to be completed each semester, your benefits will NOT be certified until we receive this form for each period of enrollment). (See Forms & Resources, Miscellaneous).
If you need to request a DD214, Certificate of Eligibility or have questions regarding your benefits please call the VA at 800-827-1000.